Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the effectiveness of the Animals in Science Regulation Unit; and if she will make a statement.

The use of animals in science is highly regulated, including a three-tier system of licensing, the monitoring of compliance of licence holders, and on-site inspections.

All licensed establishments are required to have a dedicated governance framework comprising of individuals that includes veterinary surgeons with legal responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals. Ethical review bodies embedded in each establishment review proposals for the use of animals and promote the 3Rs of animal use (replacement, reduction, refinement).

The Animals in Science Regulation Unit continues to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. As part of continuous improvement, a regulatory reform programme is underway to modernise the regulator and strengthen its regulatory oversight.